OUR VIEW: West End achieves success

Published: Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 2, 2014 at 6:45 p.m.

Alabama schools, collectively and individually, seem to be at the bottom of various ratings all too often. That’s why we like to pay homage on those occasions when one or more schools makes the positive portion of a ranking. Today, we pay tribute to West End High School, which recently was included in a list of best high schools in the nation.

U.S. News and World Report regularly publishes rankings of educational institutions. It recognized 19,000 high schools nationwide and 93 in Alabama. Of 360 eligible state schools, only three received the highest recognition, a gold medal. Twelve received silver medals and 78, including West End, received bronze medals.

Among other criteria, the report compared how well students do on state performance tests and assessed a school’s participation in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. West End Principal Craig Shoemaker said the school only recently began AP programs in calculus and chemistry. AP offerings will be expanded next year to include biology, literature and English. Adding to the school’s success was the fact that two West End students — Darrell Butler and Hunter McClung — were in the top 10 statewide in the Chemistry Olympiad Competition.

The accolades for West End — a small school in an economically challenged area — are proof that bigger isn’t always better, and that throwing money at a school isn’t a guarantee of success. What West End has going for it are dedicated students, faculty and administration. Working together, they have reached a high level of success. We applaud them for their efforts.

H.M. Freeman

If only his business dealings were considered, H.M. Freeman would be remembered fondly and regarded as a success. He had a 50-plus-year track record with the auto dealership that bore his name. It received numerous industry awards.

Freeman, who died early Friday, was more than a small businessman. A member of the Gadsden Ambassadors, a gospel music group that lived up to its name, he is remembered as a “fine example of living the Christian life.”

A board member since 1979, Freeman was heavily involved with the Salvation Army. He was involved with numerous other activities, including a jail ministry and the Gideons. The Lookout Mountain District of the Boy Scouts of American last year honored Freeman with the Heart of an Eagle Award for service to the community.

Used car salesmen are often portrayed as being less than model citizens. Freeman was as far from that stereotype as you could get.

<p>Alabama schools, collectively and individually, seem to be at the bottom of various ratings all too often. That's why we like to pay homage on those occasions when one or more schools makes the positive portion of a ranking. Today, we pay tribute to West End High School, which recently was included in a list of best high schools in the nation.</p><p>U.S. News and World Report regularly publishes rankings of educational institutions. It recognized 19,000 high schools nationwide and 93 in Alabama. Of 360 eligible state schools, only three received the highest recognition, a gold medal. Twelve received silver medals and 78, including West End, received bronze medals.</p><p>Among other criteria, the report compared how well students do on state performance tests and assessed a school's participation in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. West End Principal Craig Shoemaker said the school only recently began AP programs in calculus and chemistry. AP offerings will be expanded next year to include biology, literature and English. Adding to the school's success was the fact that two West End students — Darrell Butler and Hunter McClung — were in the top 10 statewide in the Chemistry Olympiad Competition.</p><p>The accolades for West End — a small school in an economically challenged area — are proof that bigger isn't always better, and that throwing money at a school isn't a guarantee of success. What West End has going for it are dedicated students, faculty and administration. Working together, they have reached a high level of success. We applaud them for their efforts.</p><h3>H.M. Freeman</h3>
<p>If only his business dealings were considered, H.M. Freeman would be remembered fondly and regarded as a success. He had a 50-plus-year track record with the auto dealership that bore his name. It received numerous industry awards. </p><p>Freeman, who died early Friday, was more than a small businessman. A member of the Gadsden Ambassadors, a gospel music group that lived up to its name, he is remembered as a “fine example of living the Christian life.”</p><p>A board member since 1979, Freeman was heavily involved with the Salvation Army. He was involved with numerous other activities, including a jail ministry and the Gideons. The Lookout Mountain District of the Boy Scouts of American last year honored Freeman with the Heart of an Eagle Award for service to the community.</p><p>Used car salesmen are often portrayed as being less than model citizens. Freeman was as far from that stereotype as you could get.</p>